Prior to their series finale against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Austin Barnes on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left big toe.
Barnes was removed from Sunday’s matchup at Truist Park with what the team deemed a left big toe contusion. The 34-year-old started at catcher and played four innings before he was pinch-hit for by Will Smith in the top of the fifth.
Barnes previously fractured his left big toe nearly one month ago as a result of being hit by a pitch during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed hope that Barnes will be able to return before the end of the regular season, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I hope it’s one of those things, given his role, that if we can calm it down, keep it at bay we can get him back in 16 days,” Roberts said. “Hopefully it’s not the end of the season for him.”
Barnes returned once he was eligible to be activated from his previous IL stint. Roberts said at the time that his availability moving forward would be determined by managing and playing through the lingering pain.
After Barnes exited the game on Sunday, Roberts indicated that his concern for the backup catcher was high. While the Dodgers are hopeful to get him back before the calendar turns to October, it would not be surprising if Barnes remains sidelined until then.
Hunter Feduccia replaces Austin Barnes on Dodgers roster
The corresponding move to Barnes going on the 10-day IL was Hunter Feduccia being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. It marks Feduccia’s third stint with the Dodgers this season.
Feduccia replaced Barnes on the Dodgers roster when he first fractured his left big toe last month and made his MLB debut. He called it a “dream come true” and had his family in attendance for the moment.
The 27-year-old has had a successful season in Triple-A, batting .284/.409/.428 with six home runs, 41 runs scored, 50 RBI and a 117 wRC+. He has also shown some flashes of upside at the plate in the Majors, but will work as the backup catcher.
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